Drive® Insurance From Progressive Forms Agency Council; Holds Inaugural Meeting
Council Created To Discuss Industry Trends; Weigh In On Drive Business Strategies
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — November 2, 2005 — Sixteen independent agents and brokers from around the country accepted an invitation from Drive to serve on the company's first-ever Agency Council. Drive created the Council to gain feedback from a broad variety of agents and brokers about industry trends and issues, as well as Drive business objectives and strategies. Drive Insurance from Progressive is the country's number one writer, through independent agents and brokers, of private passenger and commercial auto insurance, motorcycle and RV insurance, and a leading writer of boat insurance.
The Council's inaugural meeting was held at Drive headquarters in Mayfield Village, Ohio, on September 27 and 28. The meeting included presentations on business operations by Group President Bob Williams and Auto Group Business Leader Greg Trapp. Other key business leaders provided updates on the company's technology and service initiatives and Progressive's concierge level of claims service now available through 22 Service Centers throughout the country.
The highlight of the meeting was the open discussion of a variety of topics, including customer retention, agency compensation, technology/workflow, marketing support and agency relationships. The Council identified these five areas as priorities and provided useful and constructive feedback on them.
"It was very refreshing to see agents and brokers and insurance company executives exchanging ideas and concerns," said council member Ritchie Clements of Clements Insurance Services, LLC, in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. "We were met with open arms and minds. And the group also came up with some new topics for future discussion. Hopefully both sides will realize the benefits of such an open forum."
The discussion was merely a first step. Drive is already working on many of the issues and ideas discussed, and the Council's input was very valuable in validating these objectives. Drive business leaders are carefully considering other feedback, and will update the Council at future meetings.
"The first Drive Agency Council was an unexpected surprise," said Council member Terri Gravely of Goodman, Gravely Insurance Source in Olathe, Kansas. "I was more than impressed with the interaction between Drive management and Council members. I have been extremely pleased with the responsiveness and attention that our input has received and look forward to a mutually advantageous relationship for agents and brokers and Drive Insurance."
"We created the Council to get input from a variety of agents and brokers, and to help us make business decisions that are in line with their interests and concerns," said Williams. "As for the inaugural meeting, I was really impressed — and pleased — with the thoughtful discussion and willingness of the agents and brokers attending to commit to the process. I'm looking forward to working with the Council."
Council members hail from agencies of all sizes and regions of the country, and varying areas of business focus. The council will meet in-person three times a year with telephone and Web conferences in between.
The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, is the nation's third largest auto insurance group. Progressive companies under the Drive® Insurance from Progressive brand comprise a group that is the largest writer of personal auto, motorcycle, recreational vehicle and boat insurance through independent agencies in the U.S., based on premiums written. More information can be found at driveinsurance.com. Agents and brokers can login to Drive's agency-dedicated Web site, ForAgentsOnly.com (FAO), to access customer policies, state and countrywide news, and other interactive features.
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